Greed & Deadly Deceit

by Ruby Blaylock

  "I must apologize for subjecting you to this old woman’s card game, she teased, shuffling her own cards in her hand. I’m sorry that I don’t know how to play poker, she added. I know that’s a much more respectable game for guys."

  Bo laughed, and it occurred to Annie that it was the first time she’d heard the sound come from him. I had a dear friend who used to make me play with her all the time. She’s passed on now, God rest her soul, but she was a firecracker when it came to cards. Taught me everything I know, he added, discarding a card.

  Annie glanced at the discarded card, then at her own hand. With a sigh, she grabbed a card from the deck. Mama made me play this so much when I was younger, I swore I’d never play it again. Yet, here I am, hooked like a fish, she laughed. I guess it reminds me of being young. I used to love playing cards with my daddy more than with Mama because he’d let me cheat, she laughed. Of course, I was just ten at the time.

  Bo smiled. He sounds like a nice guy, he replied, tossing another card. He still around?

  Annie frowned slightly. No, he died a few years back. It was awfully hard on Mama, but she’s doing so much better now. We still miss him terribly, though.

  Bo nodded. I lost my mama when I was young. It’s hard, but you survive. He looked as though he wanted to say something else, but stopped himself. Instead, he put down a run of cards.

  Annie looked at her own cards and laughed. I think we can probably call this game right now. You’ve got me beat by a mile, she added. Stifling a yawn, she stretched her legs out beneath the card table they were using for their game.

  Please, don’t let me keep you up, Bo apologized. I’m having a great time, but I get to sleep in as late as I want, so I don’t want to keep you up.

  Annie glanced at the clock. Nah, I’m good. I was just going to have a cup of tea and watch some awful reality television, you know, to make me feel better about myself.

  He laughed again. I thought I was the only one who did that, he replied.

  Annie went to the kitchen and prepared tea in the little teapot that her mother had bought for her the previous Christmas. She grabbed two mugs, milk, and sugar, then returned to the sitting room. Bo had left his seat and now stood in front of the fireplace, admiring its deep cherry finish.

  The last time I saw this, it was covered in cobwebs and dust so thick, I could write my name on it. In fact, I did. He pointed to the center of the mantel. It was right there.

  Annie sat the tea on the table. It took a lot of work to get it looking that good. Rory’s amazing with stuff like that. He has a real eye for old houses. We tried to keep the place as authentic as possible while making it as comfortable as possible, you know, with central heat and air.

  Bo nodded. Love this mantel. Rory did some awesome work here.

  Annie grinned. Want to see something cool? We found a hidden drawer on the corner here. She felt around the edge of the mantel until she could feel the right spot, then she pushed it in slightly and a section of the wood sprang out from the rest of the mantel. We found some of the original documents belonging to the first owners of this plantation in here, she explained. So much history, she added.

  And sadness, Bo replied. I heard that this place was named after a girl who died here, one of the first owners’ kids.

  Annie nodded. Her name was Rose and she was pretty young, nineteen. She’s buried out in the small graveyard past the barn, she added.

  Bo nodded. Used to ride my bike here and visit the little graveyard a lot as a kid. Before we moved away, he added. Haven't been back here in forever--it really does look different now.

  That’s right--you used to live near here? Annie asked.

  "Something like that. This place was like a mecca for bored kids from all over town in the summertime. Who

  needs a park when you can explore a little piece of a real local legend? I fished in that pond out back every summer when I was growing up.

  Didn’t have any brothers or sisters, but I had a cousin who was meaner than a rattlesnake. He dared me to come inside this very house at least a dozen times, then when I finally worked up the nerve, he ran home and told my daddy that I’d broken in. I got my tail whipped something awful, but it was worth it. This place became my very own secret clubhouse.

  Annie smiled. Who would have thought it, eh? And now you can enjoy it without the dust and spiderwebs.

  He laughed. The dust didn’t bother me, but I never could shake the feeling that there was someone or something inside this house with me. He shuddered. You don’t ever get that feeling?

  Annie shrugged. Well, to be honest, not really. I mean, I’ve never been a big believer in ghosts and spirits. Maybe I’m too skeptical to experience anything. She didn’t want to make him feel foolish. Lots of people believed in ghosts and many claimed to see or feel things that she’d never experienced. She knew it didn’t necessarily make them crazy--it just meant that she didn’t have the same experiences herself.

  Bo looked at her for a long moment. "Maybe you just have to open yourself up to the possibility of something beyond. He said this without a hint of a smile. And for what it’s worth, ghosts aren’t the only things that can haunt you. His expression darkened. The living can be as dead to you as those who’ve died, unfortunately."

  Annie shifted in her seat. Well, now, that’s given me a proper case of the creeps, she laughed nervously.

  Sorry, he apologized. I guess revisiting my past turns me a little morbid.

  Annie smiled back at him. Why’d you ever move away? I mean, I guess I know why--Coopersville is hardly a mecca for songwriters, is it? But, you seem--and forgive me if I sound too nosy, but I’ve been spending far too much time with my mother--you seem sort of lonely. I would have thought someone would have snapped you up and made you settle down by now.

  Bo laughed out loud at her comment. Well, I guess you can say that I haven’t had the best of luck with romance over the years. Mostly I’ve kept to myself, writing, making music, earning a living. I lost touch with my family when I left home, but that was my choice. He paused now and seemed to drift back in his memories. My father was abusive. I couldn’t see it then, but now, as an adult, I can say that. He got physical, mean. I think if my mother hadn’t died, it would have been different, maybe. But he blamed me somehow, and I was young and stupid so I believed him.

  Annie gave him a sorrowful smile. But you realize that was his problem, not yours, right? You are obviously a good guy, a smart guy. I’m sorry about your father, but he was wrong. Have you been back to see him since you came to town?

  Bo gritted his teeth. Annie wished suddenly that she hadn’t been so nosy. It must be a very painful subject for him--why hadn’t she just kept her big mouth shut?

  I thought about trying to patch things up with him, but to be honest, I can’t. I can’t forgive him for the way he treated me, and that old saying is definitely true. You can’t go home again, and even if I could, why would I want to? Besides, I made my peace in my own way, so I guess it's all good, right?

  Annie nodded. I guess the opposite was true for me. I thought everything I wanted lay outside of Coopersville in the big, wide world. It turns out I was wrong. This place is it for me--everything I’ve ever really wanted. I just wish my father was still with us to enjoy it.

  Now it’s my turn to be nosy. What about your husband? Are you married to the handyman?

  Annie blushed. No, Rory and I are very, very good friends. We were high school sweethearts, in fact. But, I married Devon’s father and moved to New York when I was still pretty young. I only came back to Coopersville after my husband died a few years ago.

  I’m sorry for your loss, Bo assured her, but Annie shook her head.

  Thanks, but it was a mixed blessing. I found out that my husband had been cheating on me for quite some time with an interior designer. She turned up at the funeral, bawling her eyes out, making a big scene. It was just so tacky. Annie thought she’d shown a great deal of restraint by not slapping the bimbo in the face,
but she’d been a little preoccupied with the actual funeral to turn it into some sort of circus.

  Wow, Bo replied. I guess you really had a hard time of things. I’d say the Universe really wanted you to get back here to Coopersville and take on this beautiful old house.

  Annie felt the weight of their conversation begin to settle around them, so she tried to change the subject.

  Well, you know that my mother is bound to want to introduce you to all the daughters of her friends if you stay around here any length of time. She fancies herself some sort of Cupid, I think.

  Bo blushed. That’s mighty sweet of her, but I reckon it wouldn’t be fair to drag some sweet Carolina gal back up to the big city of Nashville just for me. Don’t get me wrong, but it’s not the type of place I’d like to settle down to raise a family. It’s just too big, too busy, too impersonal.

  Annie nodded. I’m glad Devon gets to spend at least a little of what’s left of his childhood here in a small town. There’s definitely something special about it. Her mind drifted to Joshua and Melody, and she wondered where they would go after they left Coopersville. It hadn’t occurred to her to ask if Melody even had a job waiting for her when she left.

  Have you met the Wallaces since you’ve been staying here? It wasn’t the most subtle of introductions, but she knew that Bessie would be fuming if she didn’t at least point Bo in Melody’s direction.

  Bo looked puzzled for a moment, then nodded. Oh, yeah, I’ve seen the little guy, but not his mom. Well, I only saw her once, from behind. I mean, she was walking away and I noticed her. He blushed, and Annie laughed.

  She seems quite nice, but a little sad. Apparently, she and Joshua’s father are no longer together. In fact, he doesn’t seem to want anything to do with the boy. I think she hoped that they could work something out, but he seems to be a pretty nasty piece of work. She paused. I probably shouldn’t be talking about her like this, but I just can’t stand to see such a sweet little family in so much of a mess.

  Bo nodded. That is one cute little kid. I’ll bet he’s got a curiosity as big as the moon, too. I was the exact same as a kid--cute, but always in a lick of trouble.

  I think he just needs a father figure, someone to get into mischief with, Annie suggested with a grin.

  Sounds like you’re trying to set me up with his mom, Bo replied with a chuckle. And if she’s on the rebound, well, I might not be her best option.

  He pushed back from the table and stretched his legs. I have really enjoyed this evening, Miss--

  Please, just call me Annie, she insisted. And the pleasure is all mine. You’re a much nicer card player than my mother, I can assure you. Bessie Purdy takes no prisoners when it comes to rummy.

  Well, I think I’m going to turn in now. If you don’t mind too awfully much, I think I’ll do a little fishing in that pond of yours tomorrow. It’s been way too long since I’ve dropped a line around these parts. Are there still fish in the pond?

  Annie nodded. Caught one last week myself, though I threw it back. I don’t actually like eating the fish, she confessed. I’ve got plenty of spare rods if you need one, just come see me in the morning and I’ll get you set up.

  Bo left with a slight grin on his face, which was a relief to Annie. She hadn’t offended him by asking too many personal questions and she felt like she’d actually got to know him just a little. The mysterious Mr. Michaels seemed to be a pretty down to earth guy after all. She hoped the rest of his stay at Rosewood Place would be pleasant for him, and she hoped that it would be fairly uneventful for the rest of the household, too.

  11

  An Unexpected Visitor

  Bessie knew that the way to a man’s heart was through his mouth and down to his stomach. She’d won her husband over with her spectacular apple pies, the ones with buttery, melt-in-your-mouth crusts and just the right amount of cinnamon added in. Emmett Barnes had fallen in love with her fried chicken and creamed potatoes, both of which were served up on any given Sunday with hot, buttery biscuits and fresh sweet tea.

  As she set the table for dinner--which was still some six or so hours away--she did a mental run-through of her ‘to cook’ list. By her calculations, a good meal and some time alone was just what Bo Michaels and Melody Wallace needed to realize that they’d be perfect for each other.

  There was a blueberry cobbler cooling in the kitchen (she’d heard Bo say that blueberries were a favorite of his), and there was chicken soaking in buttermilk, waiting to be dipped in flour and spices and fried to a golden-brown perfection. The biscuits would need to be made right at dinner time, but she could whip up a batch of fresh coleslaw to complement the green beans that were simmering away nicely in the slow cooker.

  Annie wandered into the kitchen carrying a basket filled with dirty towels. She was headed to the laundry room, but the scent of green beans had distracted her.

  Something smells good in here, she said, inhaling deeply. And you made a cobbler! Is Emmett coming around or is it somebody’s birthday? Wait, did somebody die? Annie teased her mother but hoped that it really wasn’t a death that triggered the woman’s baking.

  None of the above, smarty pants. Bessie popped a piece of shredded carrot in her mouth and chewed. I’m doing this for our guests. I think it would be lovely for us all to have a nice sit-down dinner tonight--all of us.

  Annie cocked one eyebrow. All of us?

  Well, Devon is excused since he might have homework or something of that nature, but you and Rory are not. And I want Melody and Mr. Michaels there, too. They’re never going to get together if they don’t spend any time with each other. Now, would you be a dear and run to the store for me? I think we should have some wine with dinner, what do you think?

  Annie laughed. Mama, you don’t drink wine.

  No, but our guests might like a little, and I thought it might help them relax somewhat. Now, what do you think would go well with fried chicken and mashed potatoes?

  Annie stifled another laugh. Gravy. Seriously, just make them some sweet tea and move on. I don’t understand why you are so desperate to see those two get together anyway. I mean, from what I can see, they don’t have too much in common.

  Nonsense, Bessie retorted. They have plenty in common. They’re both single, they both have tragic backgrounds, and they’re both lonely, I can tell.

  Annie rolled her eyes. They’re both from South Carolina, too--it must be fate! She said this with plenty of sarcasm, but Bessie just took it as a sign of agreement.

  Right! I forgot about that--even more proof that they’d be a great little couple. And Joshua needs a father. I saw Mr. Michaels playing with the child outside this morning before he headed off to do some fishing. He was showing him how to cast a line and it was just so sweet. He seemed to really enjoy spending time with the little boy.

  Annie had noticed how well Bo and Joshua got on that morning. It reminded her of her own father teaching her how to fish. Bo was patient with the child in a way that she suspected no one had ever been with him at that age.

  Annie put a hand on her mother’s arm, shifting her laundry basket to the other so she could get closer to the woman. Mama, I know you mean well, but you can’t get upset if they don’t hit it off. Melody seems like a pretty capable woman, and I’m sure she and Joshua will be just fine. Truthfully, she thought Melody was a little unstable and likely to run into the arms of the first man who’d have her, but she kept this to herself. Might as well try and ease Bessie’s mind over the whole situation.

  As for Bo, well, Annie really would hate to see him get involved with Melody if her heart truly wasn’t in it. Rebound relationships were notoriously doomed, and after getting to know the man a little better, Annie sincerely hoped that he’d find a nice woman and settle down.

  You know, she used to live around here, Bessie said abruptly. At least, I know she worked here in Coopersville.

  Who? Melody? Annie shifted the basketful of towels, wanting to put them down, but also impatient to get the laundry sta
rted. Curiosity got the better of her, so she probed her mother for more information. How do you know this? I thought she said her family was from Anderson. Her address on her driver’s license says it’s in Clinton. Neither of those are anywhere near Coopersville, she pointed out.

  Well, I don’t know how she ended up here, but Betty, my friend from Bingo, swears that Melody Wallace was the name of the home health aide that sat with her father a few years ago. Well, more than a few--she said he had an aide at the house when he had his heart attack six years ago. Betty’s family paid good money for the home health aide, but of course, they could afford it since her father owned the grocery store all those years.

  Annie took this new information in carefully. I wonder why she didn’t mention that the other day when we spoke with her? I mean, I knew she was a home health aide back where she lived before, but she told me that she lost her job to cutbacks. She never mentioned working here in Coopersville.

  Maybe she didn’t stay all that long, Bessie suggested. Betty says her father only needed an aide for three months. They were quite happy with Melody, and Betty says that she tried to ask for her again when her father got sick a year later, but the home health company told them that Melody had left Coopersville.

  Are you sure that it was even the same woman? I mean, there could be two Melody Wallaces, couldn’t there?

  Well, Betty described her to a tee, right down to that funny little birthmark on her arm. Bessie tapped her own forearm. Annie knew the mark her mother was referring to, it looked a lot like a small heart. She’d thought it was a tattoo at first, but Melody had assured her that it was a birthmark.

  Annie frowned. Melody’s mysterious past didn’t seem to make much sense to her, but she supposed that as long as the woman paid her bill and didn’t cause any problems at the inn, it really was none of Annie’s business.